Students were eligible to nominate if they:

• are an undergraduate student enrolled in an award course at the University of Melbourne
• have at least 12 months of expected enrolment from the date of the election to complete your award course
• satisfy the fit and proper person requirements specified by TEQSA

Students were eligible to vote if they are an undergraduate student enrolled in an award course at the University of Melbourne.

Election Campaign Conduct Guidelines have been published and shared with candidates. Candidates are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and in a manner consistent with the standards of the University community and with University policies and guidance. An Information Session for candidates was held on Tues 28 Apr 2026 and the slides are available here.

Candidates can nominate up to four representatives who may campaign on their behalf. Nominated representatives must be registered with the Returning Officer at least 24 hours prior to the time when they begin campaigning. The current registered campaign representatives are provided here.

The standard term of a student elected member of Council is two years. However, as this is the first election specifically for an undergraduate member, and to align with the term of the postgraduate member, the term of the elected member will be less than two years.

The University Council welcomes and values student perspectives among its membership.

The University of Melbourne Act 2009 (Vic) establishes the Council as the governing body of the University.

Council has the general direction and superintendence of the University; and subject to the Act, the university statutes and university regulations, may exercise all the powers, functions and duties of the University. The primary responsibilities of the Council set out in s8(3) of the Act are to:

• Appoint and monitor the performance of the Vice-Chancellor
• Approve the mission and strategic direction of the University, annual budget and business plan
• Oversee and review the management of the University and its performance
• Establish policy and procedural principles
• Approve and monitor systems of control and accountability (overview of controlled entities)
• Oversee and monitor the assessment of risk across the University, including commercial activities
• Oversee and monitor the academic activities of the University
• Approve any significant university commercial activities

This pack provides information on Council members' responsibilities, Council Committees, the Council Charter and an overview of University governance.